Epi 7

In class, we discussed the prevalence and incidence reports.  We also talked about how to calculate them for different diseases and populations.  In the beginning of the class when this topic was first brought up I did not think that these numbers were all that important, and just being able to figure out a cure was.  Little did I know that these numbers were the stepping-stones to being able to figure out a cure for all of the different types of diseases.  For an example, last class we focused on the prevalence and incidence reports for measles.  After doing some in class calculations, I began to realize how figuring out when the disease started and the population the disease was affecting would lead to figuring out what started the disease.  Without finding out this information, we would not be able to prevent the spread of disease from other populations.  Also, with figuring out how fast the disease is spreading we can identify how hazardous this disease is and warn people how to prevent themselves from getting the disease.  For an example, the Influenza virus is a virus that we know comes every year about the same time.  However, before Epidemiologists were able to figure out this information, it was a virus that was spreading fast and killing several people.  After taking the time to figure out the attack rate of the disease, the prevalence, and all of the incidence reports, they were able to figure out how to slow the transmission of the disease and find a cure.

Epi 6

Last class we had a discussion on if we should use “accident” as a term or try to turn to new words.  Before we started talking about it, I thought that the only term for a car accident or any other thing that happened unintentionally was an accident.  However, after listening to the discussion in class my view on the term accident changed.  I understand that accidents that we usually refer to them as, is actually not accidents at all.  I realized this terminology difference after being in the car with my roommate while she was parking her car in the parking lot outside of a restaurant.  As she tried to turn in between two cars, I tell her she is not going to make that turn.  Disregarding my comment, she continues to turn into the parking spot while side swiping the parked car to her left.  After she gets out to look at it she calls it an accident, but I corrected her to say she was in a collision.  She was confused because she said she did not mean to hit the car, but I explained to her that as a result of her actions of rushing and not acknowledging my warning she hit the car.  This changed my view because it displayed the different in word usage and how it affects how we explain situations to others.  With slight changes to our vocabulary, we can be able to more properly identify what kind of event actually happened.  

Epi 5

            Something new that has been going on that has caught my attention is the scrutiny on antibacterial soaps.  The Food and Drug Administration is trying to start taking the soaps with the antibacterial label off of the shelves.  Currently, all of the soap manufacturers have to provide evidence to the Food and Drug Administration how their products are more effective at preventing illness and infection than just the traditional soap and water.  The new testing only applies to the soaps used with water and does not contain hand sanitizers or hand wipes.  The two main chemicals that are getting the Food and Drug Administration’s attention are triclosan and triclocarban.  The main reason for the concern is that these chemicals may make bacteria resistant to antibiotics.  Another issue is that these chemicals have been shown to cause an alteration of hormone usage in the body.  

            In my opinion, after reading articles and hearing about this on the news, I think that it is common sense to take the product off of the shelves.  If using fewer chemicals with the traditional soap and water is getting the job done, then we should all just stick to that if there are no apparent health benefits for using the antibacterial soaps.  However, I do think that in high illness and disease spread areas, such as a hospital, they should be using a stronger soap to kill the bacteria they are exposed to on a daily basis.  With the Food and Drug Administration working with the Environmental Protection Agency to identify the exact concerns about the triclosan, we will be able to figure out the best plan to action on how to deal with these products. 

Epi 4

                  After watching the movie, Contagion, in class it made me reflect on my daily life.  I have never seen the movie before class so it was a very eye opening experience for me.  When going throughout my day, I usually do not take a step back and really think about how many germs that can cause serious illness may be around me.  On my way home after finishing and discussing the movie, I did not want to touch anything or anyone on the bus because I was thinking about all of the things that other people may have had that previously touched or sat where I currently was.  The movie puts how diseases can be transmitted into real life circumstances that we may not think about if not shown.  From being a health science major and learning about how the spread of disease work, I feel after watching this video I recognized how unaware we are as a society.  I think that people, such as the man at the end of the movie working as a cook dealing with dead animals for food, need to be aware of the hygienic ways to handle the food and the consequences of not doing so.  In order to change the way people protect themselves as well as others with diseases, we need to increase their awareness.  We can go about this by producing flyers, commercials, and other social media methods to get the needed information out for the general population to know and understand.  Lastly, I believe that this is a movie that everyone should watch to be alert of how their decisions and the decisions of others may affect them.  

Epi 3

        Last class, we spent a good amount of time learning and discussing about Malaria.  While learning about Malaria in depth, I started realizing how many similarities it had with the West Nile Virus.  I found out that mosquitos were the vectors that spread both of these illnesses.  Also, they both have humans as their hosts what harbor the disease.  Another important part of the epidemiologic triad is the environment, where both of these illnesses thrive is tropical, still standing water where it is most convenient for the mosquitos to breed.  Lastly, I thought it was interesting how they also had similar symptoms.  The main difference is that with Malaria the symptoms are transparent, where as with the West Nile Virus most have mild to no symptoms at all making it difficult to identify.  With all of these similarities, the ways to prevent the diseases are also quite similar.  We can reduce the amount of mosquitos that carry the disease by removing standing water and wearing bug repellent.  

          The reason that this comparison came to mind when we were learning about it in class was because when my Nonna, grandmother, was in the Intensive Care Unit, the person in the room next to her was infected with an extreme case of the West Nile Virus.  I would hear the doctors discuss the man’s chances of living outside of our room.  They discussed how he got the disease from traveling abroad to Africa.  This sparked an interest for me to begin research into the virus.  Unfortunately, the man passed away after being in the Intensive Care Unit for about a month.